By John and Nancy Wilson
The 38th International Paper Money Show was held at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee, on June 12-15, 2014. We want to thank show owner Lyn Knight, along with Show Chairman Doug Davis, for providing the American Numismatic Association with a free table. We were able to sign up new members for the Association and one person was going to sign up for the Summer Seminar. We also handed out The Numismatist and ANA literature to interested people. Information was also given out regarding the World’s Fair of MoneySM in Chicago, Illinois, Aug. 5-9, 2014, and the National Money ShowSM in Portland, Oregon, March 5-7, 2015. Thanks to John Musk from New York for his $30 donation to ANA for the shipment of the coin show kit.
Lyn Knight Currency Auctions held floor sales from Thursday through Sunday. The sale had many scarce and rare notes cross the auction block. The sales were well attended and appeared to do well. Most of the major paper money dealers had tables at the show and from our vantage point we think they did well. Attendance appeared to be better than last year. Security was great and the official program covered everything that was going on. Around a few dozen exhibitors displayed close to 200 cases of exceptional material. Several coin clubs gave out specialty exhibit awards and the SPMC gave out the Best in Show. Bank Note Reporter gave out an exhibit award for the Most Inspirational Exhibit. Bank Note Reporter, Coin World and Coin Television had tables at the show along with most grading services.
The show sponsored 15 educational programs that were all videotaped by Coin Television. All presentations were outstanding and well attended. One featured Q. David Bowers, Dennis Tucker and other Whitman Publishing staff members. The program was, “An Insider’s View of Obsoletes.” The talk centered on Volume 1 and 2 of “Obsolete Paper Money,” which Whitman premiered and sold at this show. All the states will be eventually covered. Paper money related coin clubs also had tables and meetings with some featuring educational programs.
The SPMC had their 53rd Anniversary breakfast on Friday. It featured award presentations and the famous “Tom Bain Raffle” handled by Wendell Wolka. A PCGS Set Registry Awards dinner was also held in conjunction with the show. The FCCB had an offsite dinner and meeting at the Spaghetti Warehouse. Next year’s show dates have not been set yet, but in any instance wherever it is, we will be there.
Thanks again, John and Nancy Wilson, ANA National Volunteers